TOMMY Miller hailed “ratter” Alan Quinn after another impressive display by the central midfield partners. Miller may have grabbed the headlines with his two goals at Preston, his fifth and sixth in eight games for Town against them, but he was quick to praise Quinn.

Derek Davis

TOMMY Miller hailed “ratter” Alan Quinn after another impressive display by the central midfield partners.

Miller may have grabbed the headlines with his two goals at Preston, his fifth and sixth in eight games for Town against them, but he was quick to praise Quinn.

He said: “Quinny is a good player. He is a little ratter in the middle of the park and gets stuck in. The fans have seen him play wide left and he doesn't mind that, but his favourite position is central midfield and he is good to play alongside.

“I'm pleased he is getting a run in his preferred position and we have built a good understanding.”

The Town duo enjoyed a good tussle against Paul McKenna and Richard Chaplow as both sides looked to get their engine room in full flow.

Miller said: “Paul was here when I was here and is a very good player. He is very influential for them. We had a good battle, but I felt we contained them quite well.”

Miller's record for scoring against Preston goes back 10 years when he banged in two in the Football League Trophy. Since then he has failed to score against them just three times in 10 outings.

Miller said: “I scored against them twice last season as well.

“It was a good move really. I played it out to Luca (Civelli) who has put it back in for me and although it was a bit fortunate the way it fell to me I tucked it away nicely in the corner.

“My free kicks have not been the best of late, they have been hitting the wall, but I saw a gap this time and hit it well enough for it to go in.

“I'm delighted to see it go in. It is frustrating really and we are disappointed because Preston have not had to work for their goals.”

Sadly his good work was undone by three poor goals conceded.

Miller said: “I'm not sure it was a penalty. The linesman has given it, but they are both tugging and if it had been the away team I don't think he would have given it. It was a home decision.

“The second goal has bounced up and Wrighty has thought it would come into the box and it never. For the third, well we never get that sort of luck in the box from a corner.

“We were on top of the game for much of the time. We passed it well and we should never have got beat - it is as simple as that.

“Kevin Lisbie might have had a hat-trick, but the keeper has made good saves and he has hit a post. It just wasn't our day.”